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Helmut Schmidt’s death is a great loss to SPD and to all European Social Democrats

The PES mourns the death of Helmut Schmidt, former German Chancellor and an historic figure of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Helmut Schmidt was born in 1918 and governed West Germany from 1974 to 1982.

PES President Sergei Stanishev stated: “Helmut Schmidt was a brilliant statesman and a true European. His actions were played a decisive role in steering Germany at the height of the Cold War and in shaping the country as we know it today. He was a strong supporter of European integration and played a key role in deepening the union among European countries. We send our deepest condolences to Helmut Schmidts’ family and we stand in solidarity with our comrades from the SPD in this sad day.”